Cubs and White Sox Enter Playoffs Together for Fourth Time in MLB History

The Major League Baseball season is nearing its end, with the exciting news that both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have clinched playoff berths. This marks only the fourth occasion in MLB history that these two Chicago teams have reached the postseason simultaneously, following 1906, 2008, and 2020.

The Cubs

The Cubs have secured a second-place finish in the National League Central for the fourth straight year. The division was won by the Milwaukee Brewers, who have continued their dominance with a fourth consecutive division title. The Cubs ended their regular season with a record of 89-73.

On the final Sunday, the Cubs achieved a 6-2 win over the Red Sox in Tampa, confirming their position as the NL’s No. 5 seed. This positions them to face the fourth-seeded San Diego Padres in a best-of-three wild-card series, commencing on Tuesday in San Diego.

The Cubs’ most recent playoff appearance was in 2025. They had then entered as the NL’s No. 4 seed and overcame the Padres in the wild-card series before losing to the Brewers in a closely contested division series.

Historically, the Cubs have made the playoffs 22 times in their 150 seasons, securing eight division titles and four wild-card spots in addition to three championships in 1907, 1908, and 2016.

A notable individual achievement this season for the Cubs was Pete Crow-Armstrong’s entry into the exclusive 40-40 club. He became the seventh player to tally 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season, concluding with 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases.

The White Sox

The White Sox completed their regular season with an 84-78 record. On the final Sunday, they secured a 4-2 victory over the Rockies. Although they could not clinch the AL Central division, which was taken by the Guardians, they secured the AL’s No. 6 seed.

Looking ahead, the White Sox are scheduled to compete against the Houston Astros, winners of the AL West, in a best-of-three wild-card series starting on Tuesday in Houston.

The White Sox’s last playoff entry was in 2021 as the AL Central champions. Despite their strong start, they were defeated by the Astros in the division series.

Throughout their history, the White Sox have made 11 playoff appearances over 125 seasons, with six division titles, one wild-card entry, and three championships in 1906, 1917, and 2005.

Playoff Schedule

National League

• Wild-card round: Best-of-three series, all games at the higher seed’s venue.
• No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres at Petco Park, San Diego
  • Game 1: Tuesday, 9 p.m.
  • Game 2: Wednesday, 9 p.m.
  • Game 3: Thursday, time TBD, if necessary
• No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves at Truist Park, Atlanta
  • Game 1: Tuesday, 1 p.m.
  • Game 2: Wednesday, 1 p.m.
  • Game 3: Thursday, time TBD, if necessary
• Nos. 1 and 2 seeds have byes
• Division series: Oct. 3-10, best of five, 2-2-1 format
  • No. 1 Brewers vs. Cubs/Padres winner
  • No. 2 Dodgers vs. Braves/Phillies winner
• Championship series: Oct. 11-20, best of seven, 2-3-2 format

American League

• No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros at Daikin Park, Houston
  • Game 1: Tuesday, 4 p.m.
  • Game 2: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
  • Game 3: Thursday, time TBD, if necessary
• No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees at Yankee Stadium, New York
  • Game 1: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
  • Game 2: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
  • Game 3: Thursday, time TBD, if necessary
• Nos. 1 and 2 seeds have byes
• Division series: Oct. 3-10, best of five, 2-2-1 format
  • No. 1 Rays vs. Yankees/Red Sox winner
  • No. 2 Guardians vs. White Sox/Astros winner
• Championship series: Oct. 11-20, best of seven, 2-3-2 format

World Series: Oct. 23-31, best of seven, 2-3-2 format